Syrup dispensing mechanism



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May 17, 1955 A. J. NICHOLAS SYRUP DISPENSING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1949 INVENTOR. Andrew J A/l'cho/as United This invention relates to syrup dispensing mechanism and, more particularly, to syrup dispensing mechanism adapted for use with beverage dispensing apparatus of a soda bar, and the like.

It is the present custom in connection with beverage dispensing mechanisms used in soda bars to use either precooled carbonated water or carbonated water at room temperature. To such carbonated water is added syrup which is drawn from a container maintained at room temperature. The usual average carbonated drink dispensed at a soda bar is about 6 oz. in weight. Of this, approximately 20% is syrup and the remainder is carbonated water. it will thus be seen that the syrup comprises a substantial part of the drink.

Assuming that pre-cooled carbonated water is used in making a drink, when syrup, at room temperature, is added to the pie-cooled water, the temperature of the resulting beverage is materially raised. Not only is the temperature of the drink raised so as to be unpalatable without the addition of cracked ice, but the addition of the warm syrup produces a tendency for the beverage to foam excessively, thus rapidly releasing the admixed gas in the carbonated water. This results in the beverage also being somewhat fiat as well as warm. If cracked ice is used to cool the beverage, a supply of cracked ice must be maintained and an additional operation is required to add the ice to the beverage. However, even if cracked ice is added, the addition of warm syrup to the beverage nevertheless produces rapid foaming and a somewhat fiat beverage which does not have the refreshing effect of a highly carbonated beverage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide, in connection with beverage dispensing apparatus, a syrup holding and dispensing mechanism having associated therewith means to pre-cool the syrup while in said container, whereby cooled or chilled syrup is dispensed from the outlet valve of the syrup container and, when added to pre-cooled carbonated water, for example, produces a cool beverage which is palatable and re freshing and substantially fully carbonated without requiring the addition of ice to thebeverage.

Another object of the invention is to embody such syrup dispensing and cooling mechanism in a supporting structure which is slidably mounted beneath a bar counter, whereby the container may be readily inserted in or removed from its operative. position on the slidable support such as when the container is to be cleaned, filled, or cooling medium added.

Another object of the invention is to provide a syrup container and dispensing mechanism which will have a constant flow head regardless of the height of syrup in the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a syrup container and cooling means which is compact and highly eificient, whereby the use of the same requires a very small amount of space immediately beneath the top' or counter ofa soda bar.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slightly by the slidable plate 2 different embodiment of syrup container which may be sealed when filled at a central distributing plant and, upon being inserted in operative position relative to its slidable support, the container will be punctured to provide an exit opening, thus insuring pure and unadulterated syrup for use in beverages dispensed from the bar.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part described hereinafter in the following specification in which the details of the invention are fully described in conjunction with the drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical, sectional elevation of an exemplary embodiment of the syrup dispensing mechanism comprising the present invention, the same being shown mounted beneath a conventional counter of a soda bar.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical, sectional elevation of another embodiment of syrup container and container puncturing means which may be used in conjunction with a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the syrup container illustrated in Fig. 2 and showing the means for supporting the container and positioning a cooling medium relative to the top of the same.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 a fragmentary, vertical, sectional view of a conventional soda bar comprising a front panel 10 and a horizontal bar counter 12. Disposed beneath said counter is a pair of spaced, vertical, partitions 14, of which only, one-is shown in the drawings. Supported by each of two spaced partitions 14 are a pair of guide means each comprising a plurality of guide rails 16 and 18 which may be formedfrom angular bar stock of which one fiange of each is secured to the partition 14 by screws 20 in such a manner that the other flanges 22 and 24 of the rails are horizontal and spaced apart in vertical direction sufiicien'tly to provide therebetween a guide space to receive a slidable plate 26 which comprises part of a supporting means for the syrup dispensing mechanism to be described.

Fixed to the rear edge of the plate 26 is a vertical face plate 28. The face plate is at the rear of the counter 12 in relation to a customer facing the front panel 10 of the bar. Said face plate 28 is supported 26 by any suitable means such as a flange 30 formed at the rear edge of the plate 26. It is to be understood that the vertical supporting partitions 14 beneath the bar counter may be spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate either one or a plurality of syrup dispensing mechanisms of the type to be described, and the slidable plate 26 and face plate 28 are also sufficiently long to accommodate either one or a plurality of such syrup dispensing mechanisms, as desired.

Supported by the rear surface of the face plate 26, so as to be readily available to the soda bar operator, is an exemplary dispensing valve 32 having a nozzle 34 and a handle 36 upstanding from said valve 32 and pivotally supported thereon by any suitable means, such handle thus Ipivots relative to the p of screws 38 which are horizontally aligned on opposite sides of the valve 32, the handle 36 being of the yoke type in the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein. The exemplary valve 32 is of the type which may be ,moved counterclockwise, as

viewed in Fig. l, away from the face plate 28 so as to dispense both carbonated water and syrup through the nozzle, and moved clockwise to dispense only carbonated water through said nozzle. For purposes of the present illustration, it is deemed unnecessary to show the details of said valve which permit such dispensing since such details form no part of the instant invention.

However, when said handle is moved counterclockwise,-

as described above, movement of the slidable support 26 rearward from beneath the counter 12 is prevented by a latch connected to the lower edge of the face plate 28 and releasably engageable with 21 depending projection 42 supported, for example, by the guide rails 16.

Extending upward from and fixed to the slidable plate 26 is a supporting means 44 comprising a pair of parallel, spaced, vertical brackets 46 and 43, said brackets preferably being connected by one or more side members 50 extending between the ends of the upper inturned edges of said brackets. The lower ends of the brackets may be fixed to the plate 26 in any suitable manner and the innermost bracket 46 preferably terminates at its inner end in a downwardly bent projection 52 which provides means for guiding drainage from a cooling medium, to be described, to a suitable receptacle.

Extending from the inner surface of face plate 28 and connected to valve 32 is a syrup conduit 54 which is preferably supported by the bracket porting means 44. The inner end of the conduit 54 communicates with and supports a syrup inlet port 56 having an opening terminating at its upper end. Disposed in an annular groove on the exterior of the upper end of inlet port 56 is a sealing ring 58 formed from rubber or other suitable compressible material.

A syrup container 60, which is preferably relatively long and wide as compared with its height, is supported on the upper portions of brackets 46 and 48. The upper edge of the container 66 terminates in an outwardly extending flange 62 extending around the perimeter and the innermost wall of the container 60 is shorter than the wall adjacent the face plate 28, whereby the upper edge of the container slopes downward from the horizontal toward as shown in Fig. l. Secured to the flange 62 of the syrup container is a top 64 which may be detachably secured to the flange of the container by any suitable means such as a hook 66 extending from the innermost edge of the top and a snap hook 68 fixed to the edge of the top nearest the face plate 28, said hooks being engageable with flange 62. A sealing gasket 70, formed from rubber or other suitable material, surrounds the upper perimeter of the container 69 between the flange 62 and the inner surface of the top 64. The top 64 is also provided near the edge adjacent face plate 28 with an inlet aperture or opening 72 for use in filling the container 60 with syrup. Said opening is normally closed by a closure such as a stopper 74 formed from rubber or the like and having a tube 76 inserted in an aperture formed therein for purposes to be described hereinafter.

Extending upward from the lowermost edge of the top 64 as well as from portions of the two adjacent side edges of the top is a flange 73 which is for purposes of holding in direct contact with the upper surface of the top a suitable cooling medium, such as ice cubes 80. The slight slope of the top 64 insures that melted ice will drain toward the innermost edge of the top 64 beneath the counter 12 and one or more openings 82 are formed in the lower edge of the flange 7% along the lowermost edge of the top 64. Melted ice draining through the openings 82 will slowly drip from the lowermost edge of the top 64 and may be received in a suitable receptacle, not shown. In the event the receptacle is placed below the guide rail 16, projection 52 on bracket 46 will insure that such drainage will be directed into said receptacle. Due to the construction of the cover and the use of the gasket 70, none of the drainage can enter the receptacle 60.

The embodiment of syrup container described above contemplates the use of the sealing gasket 70, and such gasket may decrease the efficiency of heat transfer between the walls of the container 60 and the top 64 which will be chilled by the cooling medium directly engaging 43 of the sup- 4.

its innermost wall above bracket 44 ill) said top. To render such heat transfer more efficient, it is contemplated that this embodiment of the invention utilizes additional heat transfer means comprising one or more vertical fins 84 which are directly connected to the inner surface of top 64 by any suitable means such as flanges 86 bent at right angles to the plane of the fins 84 and secured by spot welding or otherwise to the top 64. As the cooling or chilling effect of the cooling medium St? is imparted to the top 64 and to the syrup by direct engagement of the top with the syrup when the container is full, or by means of the fins 84, chilled particles of syrup indicated in exaggerated form at '88 will rapidly move toward through the body of the syrup and force warm particles, also indicated in exaggerated form at 90, to travel upward, as indicated by the arrows and dotted line paths shown in Fig. l. The exemplary ice cubes will exert an almost instantaneous cooling effect upon the syrup in the container 60 and incidentally produces an agitation effect by the movement of the chilled particles to the bottom of the container and the warm particles to the top thereof. This is beneficial to rapid cooling of the syrup and, even when the container 60 is filled with syrup at room temperature, the chilling effect of the ice cubes 80 is sufiiciently rapid that only a few minutes are required to materially lower the temperature of the syrup in the container.

The container 69 is provided with an outlet opening 92 surrounded by a spout comprising an annular flange 94 which closely fits around the upper portion of inlet port 56. When the container 60 is mounted in operative position on the brackets 46 and 48, the co-engagement of the flange 94 and port 56 serves to accurately position the container 60 in operative position relative to the slidable supporting means comprising plate 26 and brackets 46 and 43. The compressible sealing ring 58 will provide a tight joint between the port 56 and flange 94. If desired, thelower edge of flange 94 may be flared as shown at 96 to facilitate the co-eng'agement of the flange and port 56. Preferably, the bracket 46 extends a little higher than bracket 48 so that the bottom of container 60 slopes slightlydownward from its rear to its front end to cause complete drainage of syrup through outlet opening 92. Inasmuch as the outlet opening 92 of the container 60 is in the bottom thereof and, in view of the fact that the first chilled particles of syrup, such as illustrated at 88, will move quickly to the bottom of the container, it will be seen that chilled syrup will be available almost immediately for withdrawal from the container through the port 56 after the container has been filled with syrup. Thereafter, the major amount of cold syrup will be at the bottom of the container 60.

Filling the container with syrup is easily accomplished by merely disengaging the latch 40 from the projection 42, sliding the supporting plate 26 and the elements connected thereto as a unit outward from beneath the counter 12 until the stopper 74 is exposed, removing the stopper and filling the container through the opening 72. The slidable plate 26 and its assembled unitary components, including the container 60, are then moved horizontally toward the front panel 10 of the bar until the latch 40 automatically engages the projection 42. Ice cubes or other similar cooling means may be placed upon the top of the container within the confines of flanges 78 by a similar operation of moving the slidable plate outward until the area of the top 64 which is to receive the ice cubes is exposed. Further, the plate 26 and its unit may be moved further outward to permit complete removal of the container 60 from the brackets 46 and 48 when it is desired to clean the container.

The present invention also contemplates another embodiment of syrup container illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and wherein the container 93 is preferably similar in shape to the container 60, but has atop which is integral with or sealed to the upper edges of the side walls of the container 98. Provided on the bottom of the container is an annular within an opening otherwise, as indicated at 104. The tube 102 is normally closed by a frangible or readily puncturable seal such as a metal diaphragm 106. The outer end of tube 102 is provided with threads 108 for purposes of holding an external cover, such as a screw cap, not shown as when the container is being stored or shipped. Mounted within the upper portion of the syrup inlet port 56 is a punctun'ng member 110 which is normally biased upwardly by a spring 112. Thus, when the sealed container 98 which is filled with syrup, is mounted in operative position relative to the brackets 46 and 48, and the outer end of ring 102 is telescoped with the upper end of port 56 so as to engage the sealing ring 58, a plurality of prongs 114 formed on and projecting upward from the puncoutlet tube or ring 102 which is sealed 'turing means 110 will pierce the diaphragm 106 and cause fingers 116 of the diaphragm material to be torn therefrom and bent upward, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to cause openings which syrup may flow into the inlet port 56. When using a syrup container of this nature, it is also preferable that the top thereof be provided with a knockout 118 near the uppermost edge thereof, for purposes of receiving a stopper 74 similar to that shown in Fig. l. When using the embodiment of container shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the means for holding the cooling medium on the top 100 of the container may comprise upstanding members 120 connected directly to the bracket 46 and the side members 50 extending between the brackets 46 and 48. Thus, the upstanding members 120 provide guide means for positioning the container 98 relative to the brackets 46 and 48 as well as aligning the exit tube 102 of the'container with the syrup inlet port 56 which communicates with the dispensing valve 32. The members 120 extend above the edges of the top 100 of the container 98, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, for purposes of holding a cooling medium, such as ice cubes, in direct engagement with the top 100, and drainage of melting ice may take place through openings 122 formed in the flange extending upward from the lowermost edge of the top 100. Inasmuch as the cooling medium will be in direct engagement with the top 100 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, conduction of heat between the syrup to the side walls 98 of the container and the top 100 will be direct and eificient so that the use of additional means such as fins 84 illustrated in Fig. l is not necessary. However, fins similar to those illustrated at 84in Fig. 1 may be connected to the top 100 of the container 93, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, if desired, for purposes of rendering more efiicient and rapid the cooling elfect imparted to the syrup by the cooling medium on the top 100 of the container.

If desired, it is also possible to provide the container 98 with flanges directly connected to the edges of the top 100 so as to resemble the projecting portions of the upstanding members 120 and thus eliminate the need for such upstanding members.

' From the foregoing, it will be seen that the syrup containers respectively shown in the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 1 and in Figs. 2 and 3, are so arranged that the contents can be sealed so as to prevent spillage even when the containers are filled. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the container is, for example, in the nature of a special form of tin can which can be filled at a central distributing plant and delivered'in sealed condition, the container being adapted to be quickly inserted in operative position in the dispensing mechanism as described above. Thus, the contents of the container are free from contamination or adulteration.

The syrup dispensing mechanism comprising the several embodiments of the present invention are of such nature that they deliver syrup to a dispensing valve 32 which'is operated by a handle 36. As explained above, when the handle is moved away from the face plate 28, it

to be formed in the diaphragm through formed in said bottom by solder or a is contemplated that the valve 32 will operate so as to mix and dispense a mixed beverage comprising predetermined proportions of syrup and carbonated water. It is proposed that the valve 32 will be operated to a fixed predetermined extent when the handle 36 is moved to the fullest extent away from the face plate 28. Thus, the valve controlling the flow of syrup through the conduit 54- will always be opened a fixed, predetermined amount. In view of this, it is essential that the syrup delivered through the conduit 54 have a predetermined Brix value, this being a specific gravity indication of the percentage, by weight, of the sugar content which will be present in the mixed beverage. The control of the Brix is necessary since the sweetness of a beverage largely determines its palatability. The proportion of syrup added to carbonated water is also important to the palatability of a mixed carbonated beverage.

T he syrup containers illustrated herein have an appreciable depth and thus the head present within the containers would, under ordinary circumstances, affect the rate of fiow of syrup through the conduit 54 during the time the syrup controlling portion of valve 32 is open. Thus, when the syrup containers are filled, they will have a greater head and thus a higher rate of flow than when the containers are nearly empty. Assuming, for example, that the mean depth of the syrup containers is two inches, the rate of flow of syrup from said containers will vary between full and empty conditions, due to variations in the head of the syrup, and such variation in flow will cause a proportional variation in the Brix value of one specific example of syrup from 12 to 9. This variation is excessive for purposes of producing a substantially uniform mixed beverage, and such variation would be noticeable in the taste of the dispensed beverage. That is, beverage formed when the container was filled with syrup would be noticeably sweeter than beverage which is formed when the container is nearly empty of syrup.

To obviate this ditficulty, the present invention ineludes means for insuring a substantially constant flow head of syrup through the exit opening of the containers shown in the several embodiments. Referring to Fig. 1 specifically, it will be seen that the filling opening 72 in top 64 is closed by a stopper 74 through which a tube 76 extends vertically, the lower end of said tube terminating in predetermined spaced relationship to the exit opening 92. Said tube 76 may be formed of any suitable material, such as glass or plastic, which will in no way aifect the flavor of the syrup. This arrangement operates to insure that the differential head of the syrup, from full to substantially empty condition within the container, is approximately constant. The resulting fiow head is also substantially constant. Such a constant flow head will provide a uniform rate of flow of syrup and therefore insure a uniform or fixed Brix value of the mixed carbonated beverage being dispensed.

Since the top 64 is sealed relative to the container 60 in the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the opening through tube 76 admits atmospheric pressure to the interior of the container. The flow of the syrup through the exit opening 92 will therefore be governed by the diiferential head between the lower end of the tube 76 and exit opening 92 of the container. This differential head has a negative pressure. Thus, when syrup flows through the outlet opening 92, the syrup level within the container will fall and produce a partial vacuum in the upper portion thereof. This partial vacuum will cause air tobe drawn in through the tube 76, whereby the .pressure between the upper level or surface of the syrup and the top 64 of the container will depend upon the depth of syrup above the lower end of tube 76. This pressure will also be negative. Thus, such negative pressures tend to uphold automatically the main body of the syrup and renders ineffective the excess normal head of the syrup above the lower end of tube 76, whereby the syrup flowing through 4' the exit opening 92 and through the conduit 54 will have a substantially constant flow head. Therefore, a constant flow head is produced in a container having a variable over-all height of fiuid.

Different kinds and flavors of syrup also have different specific gravities and, correspondingly, different Baum values. For example, pale dry ginger ale syrup will have a value of approximately Baum 23, whereas a cola syrup will have a value of Baum 29 or 30. The Baum value of the syrup will also affect the flow thereof through the exit opening 92 in the bottom of the container 6 3 and the distance between the lower end of the tube 76 and said exit opening 92 will require variation to compensate for the differences in Baum values of syrups which are to be used in the container. To facilitate the spacing of the lower end of the tube relative to said exit opening for any specific syrup, it is contern: plated that spaced indicia 124 will be formed on the upper end of tube 76 which projects above the top of stopper 74. Said indicia may be read relative to the top of stopper 74 and will have suitable legends. If desired, the explanation of said legends may be placed in any suitable location on the sides of the container or top 64, whereby the tube 76 may be correctly adjusted to the spacing required for syrup having a specific Baum in the container 60.

The foregoing explanation of flow head regulation has been primarily in regard to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l, but similar means for insuring a constant fiow head of syrup may be applied to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in which a different type of sealed container of syrup is provided, the container having no removable top in such embodiment. However, the uppermost surface or top 180 of said container is preferably provided with a suitable circular knockout 118 which may be removed for purposes of in serting a stopper, similar to stopper 74 in Fig. 1, and a tube 76 carried by said stopper for use in providing a constant fiow head from the exit opening of said container.

It will thus be seen that the foregoing apparatus providcs simple and effective mechanism which is durable and inexpensive to manufacture, easy and foolproof to operate, and effective to rapidly chill syrup to a temperature very substantially below room temperature, whereby pre-cooled syrup may be dispensed at a constant flow head for use in making carbonated or other types of cool or chilled beverages. When such pre-cooled syrup is used to make carbonated beverages, the chilled syrup will overcome the normal tendency of warm syrup to cause carbonated water to foam and thus quickly release the admixed gas. Further, when pre-cooled carbonated water is used to make the beverage in addition to pre-cooled syrup, the resulting beverage has a temperature sufiiciently cooled to be highly palatable and refreshing. For example, a small amount of ice placed about the top of the syrup container will rapidly lower the temperature of said syrup to 50 F, or less. When such syrup is mixed with carbonated water pro-cooled to a temperature of 38 F., for example, a beverage at a temperature of approximately 40 F., results due to the fact that the syrup comprises about 20% of the mixed beverage. The flow of pre-cooled syrup through the dispensing valve 32 is also more uniform than syrup at room temperature.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in its several preferred embodiments and has included certain details, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. For use with beverage dispensing apparatus, a syrup container having a planar top sloping from one edge downward from the horizontal in operative position,

5?; flanges extending upward from the lowermost edge of said top and the edges adjacent said lowermost edge arranged to retain ice in direct contact with said planar top of said container, and heat conducting iin means depending from said top into the interior of said container.

2. For use with beverage dispensing apparatus, a syrup container, a planar top thereon sloping from one edge downward from the horizontal when in operative position, sealing means between the upper edge of said container and top, a flange extending upward from and around the lowermost edge of said top and the edges adjacent said lowermost edge arranged to retain ice in direct contact with said planar top of said container, said flange having a drain therein, and heat conducting fin means depending from said top into the interior of said container.

3. For use with beverage dispensing apparatus, a detachable syrup container having an inclined upper surface at its top, an outlet opening in the bottom thereof, means arranged to position and support said container and including a frame extending above the edges of the top of said container when supported thereby in operative position, and syrup dispensing mechanism associated with said supporting means and including a syrup inlet port arranged to engage said syrup outlet opening in said container when said container is mounted in operative position within said supporting means, said frame extending about the lower edge of the top of said container to hold a cooling medium in direct contact with said top of the container for cooling syrup within said container.

4. Syrup container and dispensing mechanism arranged to be mounted below a bar counter and comprising supporting means slidable horizontally to and from a position beneath said bar counter, a syrup dispensing valve carried by said support and movable therewith, a syrup conductor connected to said valve and having an inlet port carried by said slidable support, a syrup container detachably positionable on said slidable support for movement therewith and having an outlet opening engageable with said inlet port when said container is mounted in operative position relative to said slidable support, a top on said container sloping downward from the edge nearest said valve, and flanges extending upwardly with respect to the lowermost edge of said top and edges adjacent said lowermost edge and arranged to hold a cooling medium in direct contact with said top.

5. A syrup container and dispenser comprising in combination, a container having an exit opening in the bottom thereof, a top sealed relative to said container and hav-v ing an aperture therein substantially in vertical alignment with said exit opening, and a tube extending through said aperture into said container and terminating in spaced relation to and above said opening, and a ring of resilient material forming a seal between the tube and the periphery of the opening but permitting vertical movement of the tube, whereby the spacing of the lower end thereof relative to said exit opening may be varied.

6. A syrup container and dispenser comprising in combination, a container having an exit opening in the bottom thereof, a top sealed relative to said container and having an aperture therein substantially in vertical alignment with said exit opening, a closure in said aperture of said top, and a tube extending through said closure into said container and terminating in spaced relation to and above said exit opening, said closure forming a seal between the tube and the periphery of said aperture and engaging the tube at any vertically adjusted position of the tube relative to said closure, whereby the space between the lower end of said tube and said exit opening may be varied.

7. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a sealed syrup container having a top and a bottom wall, means forming an outlet opening adjacent the bottom wall, and an open ended vertically adjustable tube extending into the container in sealed relation therewith, said tube having its inner end disposed above and spaced from the outlet opening and having its outer end disposed above the level of syrup disposed in the container whereby a substantially constant flow head of syrup When passing through the outlet opening is maintained.

8. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a sealed beverage container having a top and a bottom wall, means forming an outlet opening adjacent the bottom wall, a valve associated with the last named means, said top Wall having an opening therein, an open ended tube extending downwardly through said opening and of sufficient length to extend from a point adjacent but above said outlet opening to a point above the top opening with a portion of the tube extending and exposed above the top wall, means forming a seal between the tube and the periphery of the top opening but permitting vertical adjustment of the tube, and indicia on the exposed portion of the tube for indicating the desired vertical position of the tube to produce a desired fluid head for liquids of varying density.

9. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a sealed beverage container having an outlet opening in the bottom and a filler opening in the top, the filler opening being substantially aligned with the outlet opening, a valve associated with said outlet opening, a plug of resilient material disposed in the filler opening and having a vertical through bore, an open ended tube positioned in said through bore and slidable vertically therein and of sufiicient length to extend from a point adjacent the outlet opening to a point above the plug with a substantial length of the tube being exposed above the plug, said forming a hermetic seal with the filler opening and the inlet opening, and indicia on the length of tube exposed above the plug for indicating the desired vertical position of the tube to produce a desired fluid head for liquids of varying density.

10. Syrup container and dispensing mechanism arranged to be mounted below a bar counter and comprising supporting means slidable horizontally to and from a position beneath said bar counter, syrup dispensing mechanism associated with said supporting means including a syrup dispensing valve carried by said support and movable therewith and a syrup conductor connected to said valve and having an inlet port carried by said slidable support, a sealed disposable syrup container detachably positionable on said slidable support for movement therewith, container puncturing means supported by said syrup dispensing mechanism and operable to form a syrup outlet opening in said container in communication with said inlet port when said container is mounted in operative position relative to said slidable support, a top on said container sloping downward from the edge nearest said valve, and flanges extending upwardly with respect to the lowermost edge of said top and edges adjacent said lowermost edge and arranged to hold a cooling medium in direct contact with said top.

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